Part III

Chapter 60

"Well, Eiko, you really have no idea how proud I am of you. I'm more than happy to hear that you got accepted."

Eiko smiled at the older woman, Ms. Kurosawa leaning back in her chair as they sat in the small bar. "Thanks, m'am. I owe a lot of it to you, and all the advice you've given me over the years."

"Don't be so modest. You'd have gotten that internship with or without my help."

It was a cold night, warm drinks being served all around them in this ritzy little bar deep in the heart of the city. It was Eiko's first time visiting here, but apparently Ms. Kurosawa was a frequent patron here, and it wasn't hard to see why. The atmosphere and decor of it was all so refined and sophisticated, fitting exactly to the woman's tastes. There were no drunken businessmen here, no young couples looking for a fun night out. The patrons were all mature and classy, as classy as the smooth lounge music that filled the air around them.

Eiko, of course, had been more than flattered that her mentor had invited her here to such a place then, in order to properly congratulate her on her big news. She had recently not only just earned a full scholarship to a university in America, but also a promised internship at one of the country's biggest car manufacturers. Once Ms. Kurosawa had gotten word of the news, she had immediately wanted to meet with her, to share in her success over a bottle of warm sake.

Ms. Kurosawa took a sip from an expensive looking glass, one that was filled with an even more expensive liquid. "Order whatever you want, by the way. You don't just have to get what I get."

"Oh, I'm fine for right now." Eiko popped another piece of sashimi into her mouth. "Thanks for all of this. I'm really grateful."

"You're quite welcome. Now, you have to tell me all about your plans for when after you've gotten your masters. I know you. You've already got everything laid out."

Eiko couldn't help but chuckle. If there was anyone in the world who understood how she thought, it was Ms. Kurosawa. Not only had she known her from since she was a young child, but she was also the only one who could ever stay ahead of her mentally, could accurately guess what she thought. Eiko, on the other hand, always had difficulty doing the same to her, Ms. Kurosawa one of the few individuals she knew that was beyond her usual powers of prediction. "Well, you got me there..."

She got into a deep conversation with her mentor then, telling her all about the university that she was going to, the details of her internship, her long term goals, her methods for attaining them. And, as she usually did, Ms. Kurosawa commented and advised her on everything she said, an act that Eiko welcomed. She had always greatly admired this woman, a brilliant and successful member of the country's technology sector, and had made it habit to soak in whatever words of wisdom her role model gave to her.

"You're already quite well traveled for someone of your age. First it was Europe, now America."

"How different do you think the experience will be?"

"Well...let me just say that you'll feel more at home in America. They're not the sort of people who will hesitate to tell you what they really think, so you'll be able to improve your own game while in their company."

Eiko chuckled. "That's what I hear. I'm looking forward to it."

Ms. Kurosawa grinned, something of which had always been a sight for Eiko to see. Besides being incredibly intelligent, she also possessed an elegant sort of beauty, of which was well shown through her endearing smile. She was more or less what Eiko herself wanted to be when she grew older - smart, successful, rich, respected, feared, and of course, stylish - and knew full well that parts of Ms. Kurosawa's behaviors had rubbed off on her over the years. "I knew you would. You've always been someone who's not afraid to use their voice. That's quite rare and admirable."

"I'm glad you think so. Many people don't seem to share your opinion! But, aren't you complimenting Yukari at the same time, though?"

That got a genuine laugh out of the woman, of which was then followed by a disgusted grunt. "Yes, she isn't afraid to use her voice, but the difference is that you actually have things of value to say. She, on the other hand, just solicits whatever idiotic thought that's limping through her tiny mind."

Eiko put on a bit of a broken grin then. As hard as Ms. Kurosawa usually was to read, there was at least one thing that Eiko could always predict about her: mention the name 'Yukari', and she'd immediately start to get aggravated. "You're always so hard on her."

"She's an imbecile. Why shouldn't I be?" Ms. Kurosawa shook her head, and then took another taste of her drink. "I still don't understand why someone of your caliber associates with someone like her."

"Yukari's funny. That's pretty much it."

"There's many funny people out there."

"Yes, I know. But, she's just...well, you know. You just don't run into someone like her every day."

"I should only be so lucky. You know what, maybe you can take that girl with you. Get her out of this country."

Eiko chuckled. "I'm sure she would love to come with me. She could practice her English there."

"Then why not do it? You could easily afford to house her. I'd even help chip in."

She had to hold in further laughter. "...do you really dislike her that much? I know you've never gotten along with her, but, I've just never heard you speak of anyone like you do Yukari."

Ms. Kurosawa sighed. "I just don't want her around Minamo. She's the reason she turned down her own scholarship. I'm sure of it. Minamo claims she'd miss our town too much, but it's really because of Yukari. I don't know how in the world it happened, but they've somehow become best friends, and it's already ruined her future. All they want to do is waste time with each other."

"...I know you aren't happy with Minamo's choice, but, she still is going to a decent college."

"She had the potential to become an Olympic competitor, Eiko. Her one chance to do something remotely decent with her life, and she destroyed it."

The atmosphere started to become a bit thick around the bar then, as it usually did whenever the subject of this woman's daughter came up. Ms. Kurosawa, and the family she came from, always had amazingly high standards for everyone, which easily explained why they were so successful in life. Unfortunately, Minamo had never been the sort of elite success that her mother had hoped for. If anything, she felt her daughter had become more of a burden to her reputation, which Eiko had always felt was unfair to such a decent human being. "She'll still be fine. Remember how we talked about this before? Minamo's still an amazingly competent girl. She'll land a good career somewhere."

"Whatever she ends up doing won't be nearly good enough for me or our family, Eiko. Her only talent is at being an athlete, and she's closed that door."

"...regardless, her decision was still her own choice. Isn't that what's important at the end of it all?"

"The only thing that's important is achieving your best. Your family knows that as well as mine, Eiko. Not pursuing that makes you an embarrassment...makes her an embarrassment."

"...please don't call her that."

"And why shouldn't I state the obvious?"

"...I know she hasn't lived up to her potential, but, she's still my closest friend, m'am. I'd rather not talk about her like that."

Ms. Kurosawa crooked her head. "This is from the friend that's referred to her as a coward before?"

"I never say that to degrade her. You and I both know she has some confidence problems. But, she's definitely not an embarrassment. She's still done well in her life, and I'm proud to be the friend of someone as kind and considerate as she is."

"Yes, I'm sure those qualities will come in quite handy during whatever menial job she finds at the convenience store."

Eiko felt her fingers tense up.

The older woman just watched her young protege for a few moments, her sharp eyes examining her. She soon let out another sigh, her hand rubbing her forehead. "Forgive me, Eiko. This is your night, and here I am venting to you."

She immediately felt her body relax then. Eiko had argued with her mentor before, Ms. Kurosawa always encouraging it, but it was always an exhausting exercise that she'd rather not engage in. "Please, it's fine, m'am. I'm sorry I brought Yukari into the conversation. I know how she makes you feel."

Ms. Kurosawa waved a hand. "No, no, it's fine. I admit that I'm still not over that whole scholarship ordeal. It's more the fact that someone like Yukari was a factor in her decision. It just boggles my mind, especially since she's always been in the company of someone as intelligent as yourself. I would figure she would only associate around similar kinds of people then, but, that obviously has not been the case."

Eiko smiled. "Well, friendship can be a strange thing sometimes. They just click with each other, I suppose."

"Yes. It can be quite strange indeed." Ms. Kurosawa grinned. "However, I'm at least thankful that Minamo has had you around as a friend. You won't even tolerate her own mother speaking ill about her."

She chuckled. "I'm the one that should be thankful to be around her. She's helped me tone down my temper since I've known her, and, you know Minamo, you can't help but pick up some of her kindness after she's shown it to you. I've become a better person because of her, if I may say so myself."

"...yes. I know that's true enough at least. You really have become quite the incredible woman, Eiko. Your future is going to be wonderful, and here's to it."

Ms. Kurosawa had raised her glass to her, of which Eiko clinked with her own. "Thank you, m'am. Hearing that from you makes my night."

"I'm glad to hear it." The woman took her glass back, but instead of setting it back down upon the table, she held it up for a few moments as she looked into it. "...however, Eiko, in regards to that kindness you've attained from my daughter..."

She crooked her head. "...yes?"

"...allow me to give you a word of caution about it."

"...and that is?"

"It's good that you've learned to become more thoughtful of others. I know I've always told you how cut throat the business world can be, but maintaining some part of your compassion through out it all is still a key to survival."

She remained quiet as the woman spoke, the music and murmurs of the bar filling the void.

Ms. Kurosawa tilted her glass towards her, studying her for a moment over its brim, a finger then pointing out at her. "However, always remember that that same sense of compassion can also deny you from what you truly want in life. You should be prepared for wherever your good will may take you, Eiko, because you might end up surrendering something quite dear to you in order to satisfy its whims."

"...of course. I'll remember that, m'am."

Her mentor smiled, and the night soon continued on with much more lighthearted conversation in regards to her future. Over good food and drinks, they traded stories about themselves, talked of science, politics, business, all the usual topics that they always enjoyed going over with each other.

For Eiko, it was a truly splendid time. There weren't many people out there that could engage in such intellectual discussion with her, that could indulge her, that could satisfy her constant thirst for ideas and knowledge. So, she was glad that Ms. Kurosawa was here with her now to do so, before Eiko set off on her international journey. She had no idea when she'd next be able to meet with her again, so she made the most of the current opportunity, to enjoy it for all that it was worth.

And, if it just hadn't been for those damn eyes of hers, then Eiko would've called the whole night as the perfect send off.

Yes, those damn eagle eyes.

She couldn't tell, she never really could with this woman, how much she always knew.

How much those eyes had seen.

Had they seen through her this night? Maybe. Maybe not. Eiko had no real idea.

She was, however, at least sure of one thing about Ms. Kurosawa. She always had such amazing taste in alcohol, as Eiko enjoyed yet another sip from her glass.